Hugh back in blue? Helston make approach for Howlett

Helston Athletic manager Sid Taylor has made an official approach for defender Hugh Howlett, barely three weeks after the player left to join Falmouth Town.

Howlett played the full 90 minutes on Saturday as Town drew 4-4 with Elmore, but Taylor said he understood the centre-back was unhappy and would welcome a move back to Kellaway Park.

“I’m gambling a bit with it, but I’ve decided to put in a seven day approach for Hugh in the hope he’ll accept and decide to come back,” said Taylor.

“I think sometimes players feel the grass looks greener on the other side, but I get the inkling he’s not enjoying his time down there, and that he thinks he’s made a big mistake. If I’m honest, I’m expecting to get him back, which would be a massive boost for us.”

Howlett’s return would indeed be a real coup for Taylor, who was bitterly disappointed to see the player leave Helston at the start of the month.

He was an integral part of the Blues’ run to the Senior Cup final last season, and Taylor regards him as one of the county’s best defenders.

“I think 90 per cent of the players who’ve left us in the last three or four years since I’ve been here still come into our clubhouse. I don’t think a lot of them realise how close the bond is here untilthey leave.”

Taylor and several Helston players were spectators at Bickland Park on Saturday, but the Helston manager insisted he had not spoken to Howlett about a return.

“There wasn’t much football on so we went down there to give him a bit of support. Obviously I’m wasn’t able to talk to him about it directly,” he said.

Howlett’s is the latest transfer saga to invlove Helston, with Mark Goldsworthy the subject of constant speculation linking him with a move away from Kellaway Park.

And Taylor admitted this has been his most difficult season in charge at the club.

But despite receiving offers to manage elsewhere, the Blues boss said he was already planning for the future with Helston.

“It’s been a different challenge for me this season.” he said. “All the headlines were saying that there were cracks appearing at Helston because we were losing players, and I can understand that.

“The challenge was to repair those cracks and hold it all together. I think we’ve done that.

“I’ve had offers to go and manage premier division clubs in the last two years, but the time hasn’t been right. This is my hometown team, and at the moment it’s pushing forward on and off the field and I’m very happy to be here.”